I currently have a CA18DE. I have been looking around for Performance parts and there isnt that much around. And what is around is dam expensive. As for the SR there is plenty of aftermarket gear and it is at a better price. The donk will be going into my 1200 ute regoed up here in QLD. I want DE cause everyone is doing turbo and I wanna be different. That said I will be getting my power from cams, compression and head work and on drag nights Nitrous.

SHOULD I SELL OF MY CA AND GO SR OR STICK WITH WHAT I HAVE AND PAY MORE FOR PARTS THAT ARE HARDER TO COME BY. HELP

if its got a ca19de, get a ca18det and gear box, radiator and computer and have fun, if it has c18de then putting a ca18det enigine mounts are done and will be easier for your new modplate as most mods would have been done already on the mod plate (brakes etc)

Be different from the people that are doing CA18 NA swaps and do a turbo CA. You'll have better performance parts availability and more power instantly and you're still doing something different.

Get a SR20DE (NEO, could be SR20VE) from an S15 Japanese Silvia.

That'll keep a good smile on your face.

dattodude. when doing research to find out more about my options i came up with this. S13 soild cams, S14 and S15 NA came out with the SR20DE with variable intake cam timing. i read somewhere that the S15 motor was Neo but wasnt a reliable source (forum), when i did more research i found that SR20VE motor with variable timing on inlet and exhaust cams - same as VTEC - only came in front wheel drive cars. i also found that a S13 block rear (wheel drive) with the SR20VE front wheel drive Head (VE) on could be done but meant that some major oil galleries didnt line up then drilling and making oil lines from the the head to the block. Im still not completly sure as to whether there is actually an SR20VE rear wheel drive motor.... help me out? it is said that the SR20VE motor has 153kw, S13 113kw and S14/15?? 121kw.

There was no sr20ve that came out in RWD format unfortunately as the would be an awesome engine in something like a 1200, the easiest option to get a RWD one like you say is a head swap which isn't a straight forward solution, but can definitely be done.
My Choice would be s13 if your going to modify it, only because it doesn't have VTC/VCT(?) and I think it is easier to get cams (This was my reasoning in getting the s13 motor)
or if you plan on leaving the motor stock just drop in the s14/15 one, more power & better availability.

But i guess in the end it comes down to availability and price. You ozzies weren't blessed with access to as much Jap cars and parts as us NZer's

Cheers
Nick

I've seen the S15 SR20DE, pull 98kW at the wheels. Not insignificant, and good enough for a non-turbo experience in a 1200.

Your power figures Sound about right.

My mates got a NA sr20 in his 180b, its making 100kw at the wheels. Not sure what model it is.

Been doing more and more research into the SR20DE and there is allot more performance stuff available for them. I think I might have a chat to Kev Rowley and see what the go is with fitting one in and see if it is worth my while. At the moment I might cut my losses with the CA but we will see after my chat with KEV.